Somaliland: Why has Israel recognised the breakaway African state as independent?

Somaliland wants international recognition - here's why, and what could have driven Israel to recognise it now.

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationWatch DocumentariesTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureWatch DocumentariesFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsWatch DocumentariesArts in MotionTravelWatch DocumentariesDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthWatch DocumentariesNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoWatch DocumentariesBBC MaestroLiveLive NewsLive SportDocumentariesHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveWhy Israel's recognition of Somaliland as an independent state is controversial5 hours agoShareSaveWedaeli Chibelushi,Ameyu Etana,BBC Afaan OromooandFarah Lamane,BBC SomaliShareSaveAFP via Getty ImagesResidents of Somaliland's capital city, Hargeisa, have been celebrating Israel's declarationIsrael has taken the controversial decision to recognise the breakaway state of Somaliland as an independent nation, sparking condemnation from many other countries.

Israel became the first in the world to do so on Friday, more than 30 years after the region declared independence from Somalia.

Somaliland's president called the development "a historic moment", but Somalia furiously rejected Israel's move as an attack on its sovereignty.

Since then, dozens of countries and organisations including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the African Union have criticised the surprise declaration.

China added to the chorus of dissent most recently, with its foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian telling reporters: "No country should encourage or support other countries' internal separatist forces for its own selfish interests."